Warren County man, 74, sentenced in child sexual battery case

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Michael Shirey, a Warren County man, has been sentenced after being convicted of two counts of Sexual Battery against a Minor. He was acquitted on the third count but Judge Toni Terrett sentenced him to 15 years on each count to run concurrently.

Shirey is 74 years old, and, due to state law, he will not be eligible for early release and won’t be free until he is 89.

Shirey took his case to trial last month and was convicted by a jury after three hours of deliberations. The victim, who was under the age of 7 at the time of the assault, testified at the trial last month. She stated that Shirey would sit her on his lap, rub her back, and put his hands in her pants.

Shirey was apparently a family friend, who also allegedly touched the victim’s sister on her buttocks, at one point in time. Both girls testified that there were photos of naked women on the wall of the room. Defense Attorney Mike Bonner told the jury that no pictures were ever collected as evidence at the time.

Assistant District Attorneys Branan Southerland and Liem Walker prosecuted the case. Southerland asked for a life sentence to be granted in this case.

Shirley’s wife spoke at sentencing. She stated he has health problems including heart disease and high blood pressure and is on a long list of medications. 

Shirey will now be handed over to the Mississippi Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. Click the link to view the trial story.